ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA GRACES 19TH CONVOCATION OF THE INDIAN COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH – NATIONAL DAIRY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu graced and addressed the 19th convocation of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Dairy Research Institute  at Karnal, Haryana today .
Speaking on the occasion, the President said that the dairy industry plays an important role in ensuring the food and nutritional security of our country. The dairy sector also contributes about 5 percent to the country's GDP and provides livelihood to about 8 crore families in India. Hence, institutions like NDRI have an important role to play in the inclusive development of the country.
The President said that cows and other livestock have been an integral part of Indian society and traditions. She was happy to note that NDRI has developed technology to produce clones of high milk yielding buffaloes and cows. She said that it would increase the milk production capacity of the animals and enhance the farmers’ income.
The President said that milk and milk products have always been an integral part of Indian food and culture. India is the largest milk producing country in the world. But, we are facing the challenges of increasing demand for milk products. Apart from this, the dairy sector is also facing challenges like availability of good quality fodder, change in weather due to climate change and diseases in livestock. Making milk production and dairy farming sustainable is a challenge before us. It is the responsibility of all of us to develop the dairy industry by adopting environment-friendly and climate-smart technologies, keeping animal welfare in mind. She was happy to note that NDRI is promoting various technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dairy farms. Along with this, NDRI is also emphasising on clean energy like biogas production.
The President said that women are playing an important role in the management of dairy industry in India. This sector can play a very important role in making women self-reliant. Therefore, there is a need to provide them more opportunities in education, training and skill development. Women should also be provided easy loans and market access to set up ventures in dairy sector.
Please click here to see the President's Speech -
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Cabinet approves Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Finland on Environmental Cooperation
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modihas approved Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Finland on Environmental Cooperation. The Memorandum of Cooperation will enable establishment and promotion of closer and long-term cooperation between the two countries in the field of environment protection and management of natural resources on the basis of equity, reciprocity and mutual benefits, taking into account the applicable laws and legal provisions in each country.
The Memorandum of Cooperation is expected to bring in the latest technologies and best practices suited for bringing about better environment protection, better conservation, and better management of climate change and wildlife protection/conservation.
The areas of cooperation under this Memorandum of Cooperation shall include:
- Air and water pollution prevention and purification, remediation of contaminated soils;
- Waste management including hazardous wastes, and waste-to-energy technologies;
iii) Promotion of circular economy, low-carbon solutions and sustainable management of natural resources including forests.;
iv) Climate change;
v) Environmental and Forest monitoring and data management;
vi) Conservation of Marine and Coastal Resources;
vii) Integrated water management of Oceanic/Sea Islands; and
viii) Any other areas jointly decided upon.
Background:
The concerns of rising environmental issues are not limited to any country but pose a serious challenge to the entire Globe. India is one of the emerging economies in the world with vast coastline and rich bio-diversity. Finland's main environmental issues are air and water pollution, and the preservation of its wildlife. Finland's principal environmental agency is the Ministry of the Environment, established in 1983. Industrial pollutants from within the country and surrounding countries affect the purity of both the nation's air and water supplies. It also faces challenges like water pollution and increased demand for natural resources. Both the Countries face many environmental challenges like waste water management, conservation of threatened species, control of air and water pollution and increased demand for natural resources.
In view of the urgency to check: the growing environmental concerns both the countries have decided to join hands to establish and promote closer and long term cooperation in the field of environment protection and management of natural resources and bring in the latest technologies and best practices suited towards better environmental protection.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Sports Ministry approaches UK Government to allow Sania Mirza's 2-year-son to accompany her during UK tour
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has approached the UK Government, through the Ministry of External Affairs of Government of India, to grant visa to the two-year-old son of ace tennis player Sania Mirza, so that she can take the toddler with her while she participates in a series of competitions in the United Kingdom, ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
Sania will be participating in the Nottingham Open on 6th June followed by the Birmingham Open on 14th June, the Eastbourne Open on 20th June, followed by the Wimbledon Grand Slam on 28th June. Though Sania has been granted a visa to travel to Nottingham, her son and his caretaker have not received UK visas owing to the travel restrictions on Indian travellers.
Sania, who is a part of the Sports Ministry's Target Olympic Podium Scheme , approached the Ministry requesting for help with the visa of her son and his caretaker. Sania stated that she cannot leave a two-year-old child behind as she travels for a month.
The request was immediately taken up by the Sports Ministry and a letter has already been sent to MEA requesting them to take up the matter in the UK through the Indian Embassy in London.
Speaking about the endeavour of the Ministry, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Kiren Rijiju said, "We received this request for Sania a few days back, and I felt that it is important that as a mother Sania be allowed to take her two-year-old son along so that she can participate with a free mind without worrying for her child back home. I have approved the request and Sports Ministry officials have initiated the process with the MEA. The Sports Ministry's effort has always been to provide every support to our athletes. We are hopeful that the UK Government will see merit in this case and allow the child to travel with Sania."
Ministry of Finance
Gross Direct Tax collections for Financial Year 2023-24  register a growth of 18.29%
Net Direct Tax collections for the FY2023-24  grow at over 23.51%
Advance Tax collections for FY2023-24  stand at Rs. 3,55,481 crore with a growth of 20.73%
Refunds aggregating to Rs. 1,21,944 crore issued upto 16.09.2023
The provisional figures of Direct Tax collections for the Financial Year 2023-24  show that net collections are at Rs. 8,65,117 crore, compared to Rs. 7,00,416 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding Financial Year , representing an increase of 23.51%.
The Net Direct Tax collections of Rs. 8,65,117 crore  include Corporation Tax  at Rs. 4,16,217 crore  and Personal Income Tax  including Securities Transaction Tax  at Rs. 4,47,291 crore .
The provisional figures of Gross collection of Direct Taxes  for the Financial Year 2023-24 stands at Rs. 9,87,061 crore compared to Rs. 8,34,469 crore in the corresponding period of the preceding financial year, showing a growth of 18.29%.
The Gross collection of Rs. 9,87,061 crore includes Corporation Tax  at Rs. 4,71,692 crore and Personal Income Tax  including Securities Transaction Tax  at Rs. 5,13,724 crore. Minor head wise collection comprises Advance Tax of Rs. 3,55,481 crore; Tax Deducted at Source of Rs. 5,19,696 crore; Self-Assessment Tax of Rs. 82,460 crore; Regular Assessment Tax of Rs. 21,175 crore; and Tax under other minor heads of Rs. 8,248 crore.
Provisional figures of Advance Tax collections for Financial Year 2023-24  stand at Rs. 3,55,481 crore, against Advance Tax collections of Rs. 2,94,433 crore for the corresponding period of the immediately preceding Financial Year i.e. 2022-23, showing a growth of 20.73%. The Advance Tax collection of Rs. 3,55,481 crore as on 16.09.2023 comprises Corporation Tax  at Rs. 2,80,620 crore and Personal Income Tax  at Rs. 74,858 crore.
Refunds amounting to Rs. 1,21,944 crore have also been issued in the FY 2023-24 till 16.09.2023.
Ministry of Railways
Railways' wheels of progress keep rolling on inspite of Covid challenges as Coal freight records 54% increase than last year and 1.4 % increase than 2019-20 as well
Indian Railways continues to register highest freight figures in terms of loading and earnings
In this FY 2021-22, Indian Railways total loading is 185.04 million tonnes  till date which is 10.37 % higher compared to the year 2019 loading figures  for the same period;
It is 59.38% higher than the year 2020 loading figures of 116.1 MT for the same period
In this FY 2021-22, Indian Railways earned Rs. 18542.8 crores from freight loading which is 4.92% higher compared to the year 2019 earning  & 75.93% higher to the year 2020 earning  for the same period
Highest ever loading in consecutive 9 respective months from Sep’20 to May’21
Despite the Covid challenges, Indian Railways continues to accelerate the momentum in the FY 2021-22 with record freight loading.
In this fiscal year 2021-22, Indian Railways surpassed the loading figures of the year 2020 & 2019 that is 185.04 MT  compared to 116.1 MT  and 167.66 MT  which shows the growth of 59.38 % & 10.37 % respectively.
In this period, Indian Railways earned Rs. 18542.8 crores from freight loading. It is 4.92% higher than the year 2019 earning from freight which was Rs. 17674 Crores & 75.93% higher than the year 2020  for the same period.
Indian Railways has maintained the momentum of highest ever loading in consecutive 09 respective months from September, 2020 to May, 2021.
On mission mode, Indian Railways' Freight loading for the month of May 2021 crossed 2019 & 2020 year’s loading and earnings for the same period.
Coal sector has shown a sustained growth. Indian Railways loaded 88.15 MT Coal in this FY 2021-22 which is a growth of 54.03% compared to the last year 2020  and 1.39% compared to the year 2019 loading .
In the month of May 2021 , Indian Railways loading was 73.45 million tonnes which is 44.99% higher compare to last year’s loading for the same period . It is 10.27% higher than the year 2019 loading figures  for the same period.
Indian Railways loading was 73.45 million tonnes which includes 35.62 million tonnes of coal, 9.77 million tonnes of iron ore, 3.38 million tonnes of foodgrains, 2.22 million tonnes of fertilizers, 2.02 million tonnes of mineral oil and 3.15 million tonnes of cement .
In May, 2021, Indian Railways earned Rs. 7368.00 Crores from freight loading which is also 62.20% higher compared to last year’s earnings for the same month  & 4.93% higher compared to the year 2019 earning figures  for the same period.
It is worth mentioning that a number of concessions/ discounts are also being given in Indian Railways to make Railways Freight movement very attractive.
It may be noted that freight trains’ speed has also registered significant increase in the existing network.
COVID 19 has been used by Indian Railways an opportunity to improve all round efficiencies and performances.
Ministry of Science & Technology
New technology developed to transport of radio frequency  through optical methods could improve digital & satellite communication
A newly designed prototypes in the Next-Generation Photonic Analog-to-Digital Converters  project which can carry out instantaneous frequency measurement, generation and transport of Radio Frequency  through optical methods could revolutionize various sectors, enabling faster digital communication, improved satellite communication, better medical imaging, and Photonic radars.
Analog-to-digital converters  are critical components for developing the next generation of advanced digital receivers. The limitation of electronic ADCs  is that their vertical resolution is compromised at high bandwidths. There are two possible approaches to solve this problem through Photonics.
RF, when modulated on a spectrally rich optical pulsed source, can be stretched in the optical domain through a dispersive medium, thus converting high-frequency RF signals into effectively low-frequency signals. This reduces the input bandwidth requirements of the back-end ADC as many times as the stretch factor of the optical pulse. The other Photonic approach is to use an optical clock whose fluctuations in timing  is much smaller an electronic clock; which is possible with a short pulsed laser. High bandwidth RF signals, when sampled with stable optical clocks, can provide a much higher effective number of bits  compared to electronic clocks. It has time-stretched photonic ADC with effective bandwidth 12 times higher than EADC, which enables digitisation of signals with a much larger precision.
An NG-PADC developed by IIT Madras with support from the IMPRINT programme of Science, Engineering, Research Board , is equipped with a time-stretched photonic ADC whose effective bandwidth is 12 times higher than a corresponding EADC, which enables sampling of higher bandwidth signal with effectively lower bandwidth EADCs.
They have been working with high-bandwidth signals for digital coherent communication where the scaling spectral efficiency is challenging because of the limited ENOB of EADCs and trying to look for fundamental solutions for this problem.
“Our interactions with DRDO gave us confidence to build these solutions since we found that radar signal processing is also limited by the available electronics. We were also approached by our industry partner, with similar requirements. Thus, all these expertise came together for the development of NG-PADC,” said the scientists.
The scientists have tied up with Hyderabad based Lightmotif Automation, for reaching the technology to the people.
Experimental setup of Sub-Nyquist PADC System
Top view of MLL Packaged unit of MLL
Top view of Sub-Nyquist PADC system Packaged unit of Sub-Nyquist PADC system
Experimental setup of TS-PADC
Top view of the packaged TS-PADC Packaged unit of TS-PADC
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Story behind a Story : Directors Indrani Chakravarty, Jesse Alk and Jitendra Rai talk about their films screened at MIFF 2020
Indrani Chakraborty
Ladakh Chale Rickshawala by Indrani Chakraborty tells the tale of a rickshawala in Kolkata, who travels to far away destinations in his cycle-rickshaw. Initially when Indrani conceptualized the idea of filming his journey to Ladakh, the film got shelved away owing to lack of finance, time and equipments required in filming his journey. "It was only after I handed over a handy-cam to shoot his journey on his own, did the film start getting made", Indrani Chakravarty said during the joint press conference with directors Jesse Alk and Jitendra Rai at the festival.
“I never looked at this film with a profit motive. I wanted to record only this incredible man's journey and showcase it,” she said. The documentary is spun around the struggles of the protagonist, his wife and the crew who passionately wanted to capture this wonderful journey. The documentary is short listed under National Competition category of MIFF2020.
Jitendra Rai
Baitullah by Jitendra Rai is a short fiction film featuring under National Category at the festival. Jitendra’s first short film Cup of Tea got critically acclaimed and received overwhelming response on social media and one of the comments about the film inspired him to make this film. Millions of children in India are engaged in child labour, whose dreams are thwarted due to lack of education. Baitullah is the story of one such child, with a dream, surviving in the maddening metropolis of Mumbai, waiting for someone to notice.
Jesse Alk
Pariah Dog, by Jesse Alk is a film that portrays a lyrical, kaleidoscopic picture of the city of Kolkata, seen through the prism of four outsiders and neglected street dogs they love. The film gains intimate access to the lives of its subjects as they both care for the stray animals around them, and struggle to find their own place in this crowded megacity. Jesse mentioned that the crew had a 165 hour footage which was for challenging at the editing table. The documentary featured under International Competition of MIFF2020.
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Ministry of Finance
Income Tax Department conducts searches in Assam, Meghalaya and West Bengal
The Income Tax Department carried out search and seizure operations on 05.10.2021 in the case of two groups based in the North-East Region and West Bengal. A total of 15 premises were covered in the search action, which was spread across Kolkata, Guwahati, Rangia, Shillong and Patna.
One of the groups is engaged in the business of cement manufacturing. During the search action, it was found that this group generated unaccounted income by indulging in out-of-books sales and booking bogus expenses. This unaccounted income is laundered back into the business through shell companies. Evidences found during the search revealed that many paper companies are run by the group to provide accommodation entries to its flagship concern. These paper companies were found to be non-existent at their given addresses. During the search, incriminating evidence indicating bogus unsecured loans, bogus commission paid, bogus share premium received through shell companies etc. was also found. These evidences indicate that an amount of more than Rs. 50 crore may be unaccounted. The group was also found to be wrongly showing tribal individuals as creditors, such amounts being to the tune of around Rs. 38 crore. Further, details of certain offshore entities/ bank accounts were found during the search, which are apparently not declared in the relevant returns of income.
The other group is actively engaged in executing railway contracts in Assam, Mizoram and other parts of North East. During the search action, incriminating documents, loose sheets and digital evidences were seized indicating undisclosed investments in land and properties. Large number of sale deeds pertaining to land and properties have been found, the valuation whereof could be in excess of Rs. 110 crore. During the search, corroborative evidence could not be produced to explain the source of acquisition of these assets. Further, documents containing details of cash transactions amounting to more than Rs. 13 crore in the sale of properties have been found.
These search and seizure actions resulted in detection of undisclosed income in excess of Rs. 250 crore. Unaccounted cash of more than Rs. 51 lakh has been seized. Nine bank lockers have been put under prohibitory orders and are yet to be operated.
Further investigations are in progress.
Ministry of Corporate Affairs
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India amends the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India  Regulations, 2016
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India  notified the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India   Regulations, 2016  on 14th June, 2022.
The amendment provides the operational creditors to furnish extracts of Form GSTR-1, Form GSTR-3B and e-way bills, wherever applicable along with the application filed under section 9 of the Insolvency and bankruptcy Code, 2016. These additional set of documents, can be used as evidence of transaction with the corporate debtor, debt and default easing the process of admission. These documents will also to be submitted as part of the claims submitted to the resolution professional to help collation of claims. Further, creditors filing applications under section 7 or 9 of the Code are required to furnish details of their PAN and Email ID to ensure smooth correspondence.
In order to improve information availability, the amendment places a duty on corporate debtor, its promoters or any other person associated with the management of the corporate debtor to provide the information in such format and time as sought by the resolution professional.
The amendment places a duty on the creditors to share information regarding the assets and liabilities of the corporate debtor, the financial statements and other relevant financial information from their records and available reports to help the resolution professional in preparation of the information memorandum and relevant extracts from the transaction or forensic audit reports to aid the resolution professional in preparation of the avoidance application.
The Amendment also addresses the issue of treatment of avoidance applications filed with the Adjudicating Authority after closure of the corporate insolvency resolution process . It provides that the resolution plan shall provide for manner in which such applications will be pursued after the approval of the resolution plan and the manner in which the proceeds, if any, from such proceedings shall be distributed.
The amendment includes a definition of significant difference in valuations during CIRP and enables the committee of creditors to make a request to the resolution professional regarding the appointment of a third valuer.
The amended regulations are effective from today. These are available at www.ibbi.gov.in.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Rice sowing area stood at 360.79 lakh hectares
Shri Anna/Coarse cereals sown in 176.39 lakh hectares
Sugarcane sown in 56.06 lakh hectares
Kharif Crop sowing crosses 1022 lakh hectares
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has released progress of area coverage under kharif crops as on 18th August 2023.
Area: In lakh hectare
|
|
S.
No.
|
|
Crop
|
|
Area Sown
|
|
2023
|
|
2022
|
|
1
|
|
Rice
|
|
360.79
|
|
345.79
|
|
2
|
|
Pulses
|
|
114.93
|
|
126.52
|
|
a
|
|
Arhar
|
|
40.92
|
|
43.72
|
|
b
|
|
Urd bean
|
|
30.19
|
|
35.62
|
|
c
|
|
Moong bean
|
|
30.39
|
|
33.07
|
|
d
|
|
Kulthi
|
|
0.25
|
|
0.22
|
|
e
|
|
Other pulses
|
|
13.18
|
|
13.89
|
|
3
|
|
Shri Anna cum Coarse cereals
|
|
176.39
|
|
173.60
|
|
a
|
|
Jowar
|
|
13.75
|
|
14.83
|
|
b
|
|
Bajra
|
|
69.70
|
|
68.94
|
|
c
|
|
Ragi
|
|
7.04
|
|
5.98
|
|
d
|
|
Small millets
|
|
4.66
|
|
4.43
|
|
e
|
|
Maize
|
|
81.25
|
|
79.42
|
|
4
|
|
Oilseeds
|
|
185.91
|
|
189.08
|
|
a
|
|
Groundnut
|
|
42.77
|
|
44.48
|
|
b
|
|
Soybean
|
|
124.15
|
|
123.39
|
|
c
|
|
Sunflower
|
|
0.66
|
|
1.85
|
|
d
|
|
Sesamum
|
|
11.52
|
|
12.56
|
|
e
|
|
Niger
|
|
0.24
|
|
0.66
|
|
f
|
|
Castor
|
|
6.48
|
|
6.00
|
|
g
|
|
Other Oilseeds
|
|
0.11
|
|
0.14
|
|
5
|
|
Sugarcane
|
|
56.06
|
|
55.32
|
|
6
|
|
Jute & Mesta
|
|
6.56
|
|
6.95
|
|
7
|
|
Cotton
|
|
121.86
|
|
124.21
|
|
Total
|
|
1022.51
|
|
1021.48